iPad Travel Challenge: iPad vs. Laptop

There’s at least one school of thought that says, “If you’re taking a laptop, it’s not a vacation.” And while there is some merit to that, in recent years laptops have become lighter and more entertainment-oriented (full of games and video for keeping youngsters docile during 6-hour flights).

The question is: How does the iPad stack up against the average laptop (PC, Mac, Netbook) for the leisure traveler? The winner will depend on which categories are most important to you. Here are our findings, based on usage at home and abroad:

Visibility: Unlike a laptop screen, you can see what’s on the iPad screen from almost any angle. The bad news: If there is ANY light source in the room, the shiny iPad screen will pick up the glare from it. This is easily fixed with a third-party anti-glare screen protector, but that’s another $20-$30 bucks. Advantage: iPad

Battery life: This is a crucial category for travelers. Because the iPad has no moving parts (no whirring hard drive) the battery lasts about 10 hours (according to Consumer reports), which is longer than nearly all laptops and a 3 to 4 hours better than the average. (It doesn’t last as long as a Kindle DX, but then again, try to see Google Earth or your e-mail on a Kindle.) Advantage: iPad

Keyboard: If you’re doing any serious writing — anything more than e-mail, Facebook posts and Twitter messages — the iPad is a maddening paperweight. While the “keyboard” is closer to full size, the overly sensitive touch screen, and the complete lack of tactile response to the keys is frustrating. You can hook up an Apple wireless keyboard via Bluetooth (not approved for in-flight use) or an iPad Keyboard Dock ($69 each), but at some point the added keyboard and the iPad take up as much space as a laptop, but with less functionality. Advantage: Laptop

Connections: Was Apple trying to piss us off by NOT including a USB port or a slot for a camera memory card? You can buy an Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit to plug SD memory chips into the unit (for another $29). Advantage: Laptop

Games and video: Games are limited to compatible apps, which means no joysticks or peripheral weapons. With no DVD or CD drive, and no connection for an external drive, videos are limted to what you download or (ahem) “borrow” from other sources. That said, who wants to carry around a wide selection of DVDs when you can fit digital versions on the iPad? Advantage: Tie, depending on needs

X factor: The iPad is made for reading. Books just work better on the iPad than on a laptop, and reading (books, blogs, e-mail, SFGate) in a cafe over espresso is so much more civilized with iPad’s tablet than plunking a laptop in the middle of the table. Advantage: iPad

Weight and portability: The iPad is only 1.5 pounds, lighter than a laptop, but a touch heavier than is comfortable for holding for long periods without support. The size and weight make it much easier to take on the road and, in general, the charger (the same as for the iPhone or iPod Touch) is tiny compared to bulky laptop chargers. Advantage: iPad